HOLDS HOSTAGE Meaning and
Definition
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The phrase "holds hostage" refers to a situation where a person or a party takes another individual or group captive in order to exert control or force certain demands to be met. It involves the act of using someone as a means to achieve a desired outcome, typically by threats, coercion, or intimidations. When someone holds another person hostage, they deprive them of their freedom and limit their options for escape or resistance.
The term "holds hostage" is often used figuratively to describe scenarios beyond physical captivity, such as psychological or emotional control. It implies a manipulative strategy where power is exerted over someone's life or well-being to achieve specific objectives. This form of holding hostage involves exploiting vulnerabilities, fears, or dependencies in order to keep the targeted individual under control and influence their actions.
The concept of holding hostage is commonly associated with criminal activities, extortion or acts of terrorism, where individuals or groups are abducted or confined against their will. In hostage situations, the captor assumes control over the captive's safety and may demand ransom, specific actions, or the release of other individuals as conditions for their liberation.
Overall, "holds hostage" describes the state of being forcibly restrained and controlled, both physically and psychologically, in order to achieve specific goals or meet specific demands. It conveys the notion of using another person as a tool to manipulate and exert power, typically in situations where the captive's release or freedom becomes contingent upon compliance with the captor's demands.
Common Misspellings for HOLDS HOSTAGE
- hols hostage
- holde hostage
- hold hostge
- golds hostage
- bolds hostage
- nolds hostage
- jolds hostage
- uolds hostage
- yolds hostage
- hilds hostage
- hklds hostage
- hllds hostage
- hplds hostage
- h0lds hostage
- h9lds hostage
- hokds hostage
- hopds hostage
- hoods hostage
- holss hostage
- holxs hostage
Etymology of HOLDS HOSTAGE
The etymology of the phrase "holds hostage" can be traced back to the individual meanings of the constituent words.
"Hold" is a Middle English word derived from Old English "healdan", which means "to grasp, to keep, to possess". It has roots in the Germanic language family.
"Hostage" originates from the Old French word "hostage", which came from the Late Latin "obsidaticum" or "obses", meaning "security, pledge". This Latin term evolved from the original Latin word "obses" or "obsidis", which meant "a person given as security".
When combined, the phrase "holds hostage" means to keep or possess someone as a pledge or security, often used in a context where someone is held against their will in exchange for certain demands or concessions.
